Oakes Welcome Leaders

Student Staff T-shirt 2015

For applications for Fall 2018, check back in March!

Hey you! Want to be an Oakes Welcome Leader?

What is an Oakes Welcome Leader?

Oakes Welcome Leaders (or OWLs) are a group of volunteers who assist with Move-In, Welcome Week, and activities and programs the first six weeks of fall quarter. They play an important role in setting the tone for a brand new exciting year. OWLs will work with next year's Neighborhood Assistants and Community Assistants to help new students become familiar with Oakes College, UCSC, and all that Santa Cruz has to offer.

Starting this year,OWLs will extend their service through the first six weeks of the school year, working on teams to assist with Block Party, Spirit Week, and other college-wide social programs.

Why do I want to be an OWL?

You mean besides the cool job title?? Aside from being a crucial part of Oakes programs, being an OWL is a fantastic opportunity to help next year's new students out. It's a great way to give back to the Oakes community. It is also a great way to develop leadership skills. It is a fun and rewarding experience.

What do I have to do as an Oakes Welcome Leader?

If you are selected as an OWL, you'll need to meet two times this Spring Quarter to start training and, with next year's CA staff, to start working on next year's Welcome Week programs. You'll also be invited to help out with one springtime event and to assist with the Oakes Commencement Ceremony (2018 date TBA).

In Fall, OWLs arrive back one week before Move-In for a week of OWL training and planning. Training is mandatory, all-day, and assignments sometimes continue into the evening. During this time, you will be assigned to a committee to plan and coordinate a major event, including: campus tours, Oakes Talent Showcase, New Student Welcome, House Bounce, Ice Cream Social, and more.

Move-In and Welcome Week are the bulk of OWL responsibilities. Our days begin early and end late. Prepare to fully dedicate this time to getting to know new students and supporting their transition to Oakes College. You and your committee will be putting on the event you planned and supporting the events of other teams.

After Welcome Week, OWLs will continue to outreach to new students and plan and support social programs for the first six weeks of school. All OWLs will assist with major Oakes traditions like Spirit Week and Block Party.

Are there perks to being an OWL?

The Welcome Leader position is an exceptionally important position but it is a volunteer position. That doesn't mean we don't have any compensation. As an OWL, you will get:

We understand that this isn't nearly worth the amount of time and effort OWLs need to put in to make Welcome Week work. The reason most OWLs participate is because of the intangible perks: leadership development, teamwork, and getting to work with next year's incoming students. Our OWLs have time and time again gone on to become NAs, CAs, CUIP interns, officers in student orgs, and much more.

Ok, I'm sold. How do I become an OWL?

OWL Applications for Fall 2018 will be available here beginning in March!

Important Application Dates:

TBA - Applications Due!

TBA - Group Interviews (Dates and availability subject to change)

TBA - Priority Housing Application Period - You MUST apply for priority housing during this period if you would like to live on-campus next year and would like your OWL perk for one point for Housing Selection for next year. Your one point for priority housing will only be applied for those who have housing guarantees.

TBA - Decision Letters Sent

Questions about the OWL process? Feel free to contact the College Programs Coordinator, Mary Simms.